Device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit
A device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit driven by a compressed fluid source p available in the operating room and comprising A) a control valve attachable to the drive unit for controlling a flow rate of a compressed fluid flowing from a compressed fluid source p to a drive unit; B) a first control means by means of which the control valve is operable; and C) a second control means by means of which a flow rate of compressed fluid may be controlled. The device further comprises D) a control switch which is attached to the control valve and allowing to select between at least three positions (A;B;C): in position A the control valve is locked and closed; in position B the control valve is unlocked and a flow rate of the compressed fluid is controllable by means of the first control means; and in position C the control valve is unlocked and open permitting the control of a flow rate by means of the second control means.
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The invention relates to a device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit.
BACKGROUND INFORMATIONFrom U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,952 HOHMANN a dental apparatus is known which is provided with a plurality of instruments and electrically or pneumatically driven drive devices. Each drive device may be actuated by means of a foot controlled arrangement or alternatively by a hand controlled means. Furthermore, the dental apparatus has a support arrangement for the drive devices, so that upon withdrawal of a drive device from its support a switch is closed thus permitting actuation of the drive device. Once the drive device is withdrawn from its support it may be erroneously or unintentionally actuated.
SUMMARY OF INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a device for controlled operation of a drive device that has an integrated main switch by means of which the drive is either put out of operation and locked or else a selection between an integrated first control means or a remote second control means is permitted.
The following are some of the advantages of the present invention:
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- the operator may choose between an actuation of the drive unit by means of a first control means controlled by hand or a second control means controlled by hand, foot or by means of a computer;
- the operator does not have to avert his attention from the operating site since the control switch is attachable to the drive unit; and
- a secure operation is permitted since the control valve may be locked in its closed position thereby preventing an erroneous or unintended actuation of the drive unit.
In a preferred embodiment the control switch has a fourth position D in which the control valve may only be partially opened. This allows a restriction of the flow rate through the control valve to an allowable flow rate “r” which is smaller than the maximum flow rate “R”. The restriction of the flow rate allows a limitation of the maximum rotational speed of the drive unit with regard to the chosen tool, e.g. drill bits with different diameters.
Preferably, the allowable flow rate “r” is in the range of 25% and 75% of the maximum flow rate “R”.
In a further embodiment the control switch is configured to permit a continuous variation of the ratio r/R, therewith allowing a continuous variation of the rotational speed of a drive unit coupled to the device.
In another embodiment the control switch is configured to permit a stepwise variation of the ratio r/R.
In yet another embodiment the first control means comprise an operating means which is reversibly attachable to the device. This embodiment allows the advantage that the operator is not disturbed through the hand controlled operating means when the control of the drive unit is performed through the second control means, e.g. a control means being operated by foot or by a computer.
In a further embodiment the operating means is provided with a locking means for being reversibly locked. This embodiment allows the advantage that a drive unit coupled to the device may not be unintendetly actuated when the device together with the drive unit is laid down.
In yet a further the second means is actuable by foot. This embodiment allows the advantage that the drive unit may be alternatively operated by hand by means of the first control means when the control switch is in position B or by foot by means of the second control means when the control switch is in position C.
In another embodiment the control valve is open but put out of operation upon switching the control switch in its position C. This allows that advantage that the drive unit may be operated by means of a common control means actuated by foot.
In a further embodiment the control valve is provided with a valve body having a longitudinal axis, a control sleeve apt to lock or unlock the control valve and a valve piston being apt for the control of the flow rate of a compressed fluid.
In yet a further embodiment the valve piston is displaceable along the longitudinal axis by means of the first control means in order to control the flow rate of compressed fluid.
The invention and additional configurations of the invention are explained in even more detail with reference to the partially schematic illustration of several embodiments.
The figures depict:
Upon switching the control switch 2 in its position A (
In
The control switch 2 comprises a control sleeve 21 being displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis 23 and by means of which the control valve 20 may be put in one of its positions A;B;C i.e. locked and closed, unlocked and having the flow rate controlled by means of the first control means 3, or unlocked and open. The actuation of the control switch 2 is effected through a ring member 12 being arranged concentrically to the central axis 13 of the device 1 and being rotatable around the central axis 13 thus switching between the positions A;B;C. Upon rotating the ring member 12 from one position to another the control sleeve 21 is axially displaced by means of a pin 14 connected to the ring member 12 and engaging a groove 15 in the control sleeve 21 which extends on the outer periphery of the control sleeve 21 and which is axially stepwise configured (not shown) therewith allowing to axially displace the control sleeve 21.
Claims
1. A device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit which is driven by a compressed fluid source, comprising:
- a control valve attached to a drive unit to control a flow rate of a compressed fluid flowing from a compressed fluid source to the drive unit;
- a first control arrangement controlling the control valve;
- a second control arrangement controlling the flow rate of the compressed fluid; and
- a control switch attached to the control valve and allowing to select between at least three positions, the at least three positions including a position A, a position B and a position C, wherein when the switch is in the position A, the control valve is locked and closed; when the switch is in the position B, the control valve is unlocked and the first control arrangement controlling the flow rate of the compressed fluid, and when the switch is in the position C, the control valve is unlocked and open so that the second control arrangement controls the flow rate of the compressed fluid, and the first control arrangement is incapable of controlling the control valve.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least three positions includes a position D and wherein when the switch is the position D, the control valve is only partially opened restricting the flow rate through the control valve to a predetermined flow rate, the predetermined flow rate being is smaller than a maximum flow rate.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined flow rate is in a range between 25% and 75% of the maximum flow rate.
4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control switch permits a continuous variation of a ratio which is calculated as a function of the predetermined and maximum flow rates.
5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control switch permits a stepwise variation of the ratio which is calculated as a function of the predetermined and maximum flow rates.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first control arrangement includes a hand controllable operating arrangement which is reversibly attachable to the device.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the operating arrangement includes a locking arrangement for reversible locking.
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second control arrangement is actuable by foot.
9. The device according to claim 1, wherein, upon switching the control switch into the position C, the control valve switch from being open to being out of operation.
10. A device for controlled operation of a surgical or dental drive unit
- which is driven by a compressed fluid source, comprising:
- a control valve attached to a drive unit to control a flow rate of a compressed fluid flowing from a compressed fluid source to the drive unit;
- a first control arrangement controlling the control valve;
- a second control arrangement controlling the flow rate of the compressed fluid; and
- a control switch attached to the control valve and allowing to select between at least three positions, the at least three positions including a position A, a position B and a position C, wherein when the switch is in the position A, the control valve is locked and closed; when the switch is in the position B, the control valve is unlocked and the first control arrangement controlling the flow rate of the compressed fluid, and when the switch is in the position C, the control valve is unlocked and open so that the second control arrangement controls the flow rate of the compressed fluid, wherein the control valve includes (a) a valve body having a longitudinal axis, (b) a control sleeve which one of locks and unlocks the control valve and (c) a valve piston controlling of the flow rate of the compressed fluid.
11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the valve piston is displaceable along the longitudinal axis using the first control arrangement in order to control the flow rate of the compressed fluid.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 25, 2005
Date of Patent: Sep 4, 2012
Patent Publication Number: 20080190636
Assignee: Synthes USA, LLC (West Chester, PA)
Inventors: Peter Tanner (Bubendorf), Arthur Meili (Thürnen)
Primary Examiner: Stephen M Hepperle
Assistant Examiner: Seth Faulb
Attorney: Fay Kaplun & Marcin, LLP
Application Number: 11/915,263
International Classification: F16K 35/00 (20060101);